Raw Review 01/20/2020

RAW REVIEW 01/20/2020

Tonight is the Go-Home Edition of Monday Night Raw before this Sunday’s Royal Rumble PPV!!! First, who will walk out the United States Champion as Andrade defends his title against Rey Mysterio in a ladder match? Plus, will it be the team of Rusev and Liv Morgan or Bobby Lashley and Lana who gets the win and the edge in this rivalry? Also, what will happen when Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman return to Raw?
Raw comes to us from the Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, KS!

Raw kicks off with us being welcomed by Jerry “The King” Lawler and Vic Joseph.

In-Ring Segment: Seth Rollins & AOP & Buddy Murphy
Rollins tells the crowd he wants them to know that every single one of them out there has played a small part in making him the man that he is today. He says without all of them there is no Monday Night Messiah. He then thanks everyone from the bottom of his heart for believing in him and for the support and faith they have placed in him to lead Monday Night Raw into the future as the premier program. He says for all that he is forever in their debt. He then talks about how Buddy Murphy opened his eyes last week and how he was brave and courageous and rose up and now stands firmly etched on the right side of history. They then show the events from last week’s main event!
Rollins continues and introduces the newest disciple of the Monday Night Messiah, Buddy Murphy! He then tells how Samoa Joe and Kevin Owens were about to pull a fast one and even pulled the Big Show out of hibernation but their plan failed. He says it failed because this is fate and destiny and this is determinism at its finest. He tells how we have reached a crucial time and it’s time for people to decide who they are going to be and tells that the battle lines are drawn. He reiterates that you are with us or against us. He is then interrupted by Kevin Owens and then Samoa Joe!
Owens tells Joe that Rollins talks too much. He says he understands Rollins gloating about taking out the Big Show because it is no easy task. He tells Rollins his problem is Big Show will be back to deal with him eventually and the bigger problem is that he didn’t get rid of them. He says they have had enough of hearing his stupid voice. He then suggests less talking and more fighting. Rollins tells him if he wants to fight they can fight but they are not going to fight right now because they need to decide on the proper time and proper place to fight. Joe says he thinks he sees a messiah but he is hearing a lame lawyered up ass hat. Rollins says he is a very forgiving man, the AOP not so much. He tells them if they are hell-bent on coming down here and fighting the four of them then there is much to say but come on down and dance with destiny. Joe says a side effect of being an ass hat is your listening skills aren’t that good. He says we were looking for a fight but we didn’t say we were the only ones. He then tells them to come on out. Here comes The Viking Raiders!
The four men hit the ring and go after Rollins, AOP, and Murphy. Rollins heads for higher ground as the four take out Murphy who is left in the ring after AOP were able to escape the beat down.
My Opinion:
That was a very good hot start to the night! I loved how convincing Rollins is with this new role and how he and his group have taken over. Owens and Joe obviously had some great backup tonight and got the upper hand but they have to always keep that backup because Rollins will always have numbers on his side. These two teams could have a great war against each other and I hope they look up because it would be epic! This story can go on for a long time if Joe and Owens always come back for more with more backup.

*** We are then shown a video package highlighting the rivalry between Rey Mysterio and Andrade ahead of their championship match, next!

Backstage Segment:
Rollins tells Murphy they are going to fix this. Charly comes up and says it seems they were caught by surprise. Rollins says they weren’t surprised because they knew Owens and Joe would hide behind those neanderthal Viking Raiders. He then says if you want a scope we are challenging the Viking Raiders for their Raw Tag Team Championships tonight. He tells that it will be him and Buddy Murphy who will challenge them.

Match 1: Rey Mysterio vs Andrade (c) w/ Zelina Vega:
Ladder Match For The United States Championship
Both men quickly go to the outside. Andrade grabs a ladder and Mysterio baits him as he gets back in the ring and lands a baseball slide to slam the ladder into Andrade. Mysterio heads to the outside and Andrade throws him into the barricade. The two make it back in the ring and Andrade places him up top. Andrade meets him up there but Mysterio fights back. Andrade stays on him and looks for a suplex but Mysterio holds on. Mysterio gets on his shoulder and is able to flip Andrade onto the ladder from the second rope as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Mysterio hits him with a stiff kick. Andrade stays with it and sends him into the corner. Mysterio fights back and sends him to the outside. Mysterio goes to the top rope and flies off the ring post to land a seated senton. Back in the ring, Mysterio stays in control and hits another senton. Mysterio then is able to send Andrade into the ladder set up in the corner. Mysterio then brings another ladder into the ring. He hits a baseball slide and drives a smaller ladder into Andrade sending him to the outside. Mysterio sets up a ladder and looks to climb. He begins the climb but Andrade is able to grab him and pull him down. Andrade then hits him with a suplex, then another, and a final one onto a ladder. Andrade now grabs a ladder and sets it up from the ropes to ladder set up in the middle of the ring. Mysterio comes to and hits Andrade with big right hands on the apron. Andrade fights him off with a big right but Mysterio meets him up top anyway. Andrade is able to halt a hurricanranna attempt and turn it into a powerbomb to Mysterio on the ladder he set up. Raw then heads to break.
As Raw returns, Mysterio is able to send Andrade to the outside with a hurricanranna. Mysterio now climbs up the ladder but now Andrade now meets him up there. There are two ladders set up from the corner to the ladder underneath them. Andrade grabs Mysterio up top but Mysterio fights free and powerbombs him off the ladder below. Mysterio now drops Andrade between the ropes. He then connects with the 619 sending him to the outside! Mysterio begins to climb again but here comes Andrade once more. He pulls the ladder from beneath Mysterio and Mysterio hangs on. He then drops down to take down Andrade. Mysterio again sends Andrade to the outside. Mysterio climbs once more but now Vega comes in and climbs up the ladder. She sits up top and slaps Mysterio. Andrade comes in and is able to stop Mysterio, Andrade then grabs him and hits a HammerLock DDT through the ladder! Andrade gets up from the wreckage and beings to climb the ladder. Andrade grabs the title and retains the United States Championship!
*** After the match Andrade looks to DDT Mysterio on the floor but a guy in a Rey Mysterio mask comes up behind him. The mask is off and its Humberto Carrillo! Carillo goes after him but Andrade and Vega are able to escape.
Winner: Andrade: Still United States Champion
My Opinion:
What an awesome match these two put on! There were a few OMG moments in this one and a very good back and forth battle. Once again Vega helps Andrade in this one and he capitalized big time. Mysterio had that title one a couple of times but just couldn’t come through when it mattered. Carrillo coming back was also huge, it was great to see him on Raw again and I’m sure very soon he’ll get his revenge on Andrade. He has a good shot to win the title from him if Mysterio helps him and evens the odds. Either way that was a great ladder match after this kind of match being absent from Raw for 7 long years!

*** As Raw returns, we honor the life and message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Match 2: Aleister Black vs Local Competitor
Black’s opponent runs right at him and Black connects with Black Mass! He covers and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Aleister Black
My Opinion:
Well, not much to say about that match but Black continues to look as dominant as ever! When he connects with Black Mass it’s almost always lights out for his opponent and tonight was no different. I’m not sure where he is going to go next but I hope all these wins will mean something for him. He has all the potential in the world and now they need to capitalize on him!

***Brock Lesnar is live, next!

In-Ring Segment: Brock Lesnar w/ Paul Heyman
Heyman introduces himself and Lesnar, he then tells how he is having a crisis of conscious here. He tells that he thinks the entire WWE Universe takes what Brock Lesnar does for granted. He tells how he delivers a spoiler and Brock Lesnar then goes up and does the impossible and people say of course he did, he’s Brock Lesnar. He tells how he talks about Brock Lesnar winning the Royal Rumble and people says, of course, he will, he’s Brock Lesnar. He then explains how the Royal Rumble starts with one man and this Sunday it starts with a beast, Brock Lesnar. He then tells how someone will come out at number two and so on until we get to thirty. He then says that his client has vowed that 29 contracted challengers will go over the top rope until they are eliminated until one beast is victorious and that is Brock Lesnar. He then tells how the winner then gets to pick which champion he gets to face in the main event of WrestleMania and his client has deemed that there is not one person in that locker room that is worthy of main eventing WrestleMania, let alone any other pay per view against the conqueror Brock Lesnar. He then asks someone in the crowd who they are to boo Brock Lesnar. He then asks if there is really one person in the WWE worthy of stepping in the ring with Brock Lesnar? Out comes Ricochet.
Ricochet tells Heyman how he comes out here week after week and we hear him talk a lot and he means a lot about what it means for Lesnar to be the first entrant in the match. He tells how some guys are afraid to step in the ring with Brock Lesnar. He says every time he takes a dive or jumps off the top rope because the word afraid isn’t in his vocabulary. Heyman says he must have gotten his education in Wichita. He tells Ricochet right now there is a hungry champion and lunch meat so take your ass back to the locker room. Ricochet talks about main eventing WrestleMania and how that is worth fighting for. He tells Lesnar that he is not afraid to step into the ring with him. Ricochet then says now that he is in the ring he wants Brock to know he isn’t afraid to challenge him to a fight right now. Lesnar laughs and walks by him. Ricochet then asks him if he is scared. Lesnar comes back in the ring and delivers a stiff kick to Ricochet. He grabs the mic and says not scared. He then exits the ring and he and Heyman walk up the ramp.
My Opinion:
I don’t know if that was the smartest move for Ricochet tonight but at least he was only hit with a kick and nothing worse. I do believe in Lesnar and I think he has a great shot at making it to the end but I’d be shocked if he does pull it off. It seems like everyone will be gunning for him and the person who eliminates him will get to make a name for themselves. Plus, in this match, this could already set up a rivalry for Lesnar going forward into WrestleMania. It’ll be very interesting to see what goes down with Lesnar and who ultimately starts the match with him!

Backstage Segment: Randy Orton
Charly welcomes Randy Orton. Shes asks Randy how he responds to the people who say Drew Mcintyre is on par with him to win the Royal Rumble match. He tells that Drew Mcintyre is a hell of a guy and a hell of a talent and he has a hell of future and one hell of a chop. He says on par with me? I don’t think so because it’s hard to be on a par with the man who can strike out of nowhere with the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment, RKO. Orton then heads to the ring for their match, next!

Match 3: Drew Mcintyre vs Randy Orton
The two lock up and Mcintyre is able to back Orton into the corner. Mcintyre lets him out and the two go back to a lock-up. Orton is able to work a headlock but Mcintyre reverses into one of his own. Mcintyre is able to knock him down and Orton goes to the outside to regroup. Orton comes back in the ring and Mcintyre again works a headlock, now dropping to a knee. Orton fights back and is able to knock Mcintyre to his back. The two have another staredown before Mcintyre lifts Orton and drives him into the corner. Mcintyre now hits him with big boots to the gut. Mcintyre now hits him with a vicious chop. Orton hits a clothesline and then hits him with a clothesline to the outside. Orton meets him out there and drops him on the barricade twice, spine first. Orton backs him into the barricade again but Mcintyre fights free and sends him into the ring post. Mcintyre looks for a Claymore but Orton moves and Mcintyre hits an employee in the timekeeper’s area as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Mcintyre goes up top and calls Orton to his feet. Mcintyre flies but gets caught with a huge dropkick. Mcintyre fights back and the two exchange blows. Mcintyre comes at Orton with three big chops. Orton then hits him with a finger to the eye. Orton sends him to the apron and Orton then looks for the DDT. Orton connects with the DDT and is in control! Orton now looks for the RKO but Mcintyre reverses and hits him with the Glasgow Kiss. Mcintyre backs him into the corner and hits an over the head belly to belly toss. He covers but Orton kicks out. He then hits a suplex and looks for the Claymore. He goes for it but Orton counters with a power slam. Orton brings him to the top rope and hits him with a big right hand. Orton meets him up there and connects with a huge suplex! Styles, Anderson, and Gallows then storm the ring and attack Mcintyre. Mcintyre tries to fight back but the numbers game catches up. Orton comes in the ring and fights them off with the help of a steel chair. Orto and Mcintyre then share a moment but Orton finishes with hitting Mcintyre with the RKO! Mcintyre grabs a mic and tells Orton he should have Claymore’d him. He says that one is on me and that’s why they call it the RKO outta nowhere. He says that one is yours and it won’t happen again. He tells Orton he prays to God they end up in the Royal Rumble together. He tells him the Clymore won’t come out of nowhere, and he will kick his head off his shoulders. He says he will win the Royal Rumble and main event WrestleMania!
Winner: Drew Mcintyre: Via DQ
My Opinion:
That was a very hard-hitting match between these two and I loved every second of it! It seemed the more they dished out to each, the more they gave back and it was awesome. It sucks it ended the way it did but obviously if Mcintyre wants to be on top he is going to have a lot of people coming after him. I was glad Orton helped him out and fought them off but of course Orton being who he is he got the last laugh. Mcintyre though sounded very serious about his proclamation and I for one hope he and Orton do meet on Sunday because we could have a full out brawl inside the Royal Rumble!

Backstage Segment: Charlotte Flair
Charly asks Charlotte how confident she is heading into this year’s Royal Rumble. She says she is always confident but also prepared and is prepared to fight anyone and anything. Lynch then comes up beside her. Charlotte tells how she was eliminated last year by someone who wasn’t even supposed to be in the match. She says this year she is prepared to face 29 other women but the question is are they ready to face the Queen.

In-Ring Segment: Becky Lynch
Lynch tells Asuka last week she did her a favor. She tells when she sprayed the mist in her eyes she made her see things clearer because it should be Asuka who is worried about facing her. She says maybe she is worrying and that’s why she is attacking her and why she has to fight her tag partner tonight instead of facing her tonight. She tells how she went on to make history around the world while Asuka went on YouTube to make soup. She says at Royal Rumble she is coming around to collect one last debt and she is going to show her she can’t beat her anymore.

Match 4: Becky Lynch vs Kairi Sane w/ Asuka
Sane is sent to the outside and Lynch takes her out with a dropkick. Sane comes from behind and hits Lynch with a chop block as Lynch was distracted by Asuka. Sane gets back in the ring and Asuka hits Lynch with the umbrella as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Sane has control of Lynch on the mat with a chokehold. Asuka sits on the ring post and watches. Lynch fights back and works to her feet. She is able to break the hold but Sane gets right back on top of her. Lynch hits her with a right hand and the two trade blows. Sane gets to her feet and hits Lynch with big forearms. Lynch fights back and is able to take her down with two big clotheslines. Lynch fights Sane in the corner but Sane is able to knock her down. Sane flies off the top rope and hits her with a big forearm. Lynch comes back with a big kick and another to follow. Lynch then drives her into the mat. Lynch then hits a leg drop and covers but Sane just kicks out. Lynch now looks for the Disarm Her but sane is able to work free. Sane works into a cover but Lynch powers out. Sane now hits a big DDT but again Lynch kicks out. Lynch hits her with a kick and follows with another one. Off the apron, Lynch flies and takes Sane to the floor. Back in the ring, Lynch knocks Asuka to the floor with a big right hand. Lynch lands a becksploder. She then locks in the Disarm Her and Sane taps.
*** After the match Asuka hits her with the shining wizard. She then locks in the Asuka Lock. Asuka lets go of the hold and taunts Lynch as she exits the ring.
Winner: Becky Lynch
My Opinion:
A very competitive match between these two and Lynch gets a huge momentum building victory heading into this Sunday. I think this match was a good warm-up for Lynch and although Sane isn’t Asuka it still gives Lynch a good insight as to what she will be facing. Asuka obviously gets the last laugh here but hopefully, Lynch is true to her word and this stuff is really firing her up. If Lynch isn’t as confident as she says then Asuka could easily run her over on Sunday. I think though from what we know of Lynch she is going to come prepared and this is going to be a match for the ages!

Backstage Segment: (The Viking Raiders) & (Seth Rollins & Buddy Murphy & AOP)
The Viking Raiders and their challengers Rollins and Murphy prepare for their huge tag team title match, next!

*** As Raw returns, we see the tribute video for the late great Rocky Johnson

Backstage Segment:
Sarah asks Asuka about the Royal Rumble. Asuka goes on a rant in Japanese and then says at the Royal Rumble Becky is not ready for Asuka.

Match 5: The Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) (c) w/ Samoa Joe & Kevin Owens vs Seth Rollins & Buddy Murphy w/ AOP: WWE Raw Tag Team Championship Match
Erik backs up Rollins and Murphy ends up tagging in. Murphy and Rollins hug but as Murphy turns around Erik hits him with a big jumping knee. Ivar tags in and slams Murphy. Erik then slams Ivar onto Murphy. On the outside, AOP fights it out with Owens and Joe. the four men fight into the crowd as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Rollins and Murphy attack Erik in the corner. Erik comes back and sends Murphy flying to the outside. He then does the same to Rollins. Rollins and Murphy come to and takes Ivar off the apron and drives him into the barricade. Murphy then hits Erik with a big kick. Rollins tags in and flies off the top rope to hit a frog splash. He covers but Erik kicks out. Murphy tags in and screams at Erik. Erik comes back and hits him with big strikes. Erik then lays him out with a knee to the jaw. Ivar tags in and so does Rollins. Ivar takes down Rollins and then plants Murphy before hitting the splash. Ivar then plants Rollins in the corner before hitting Murphy with a big clothesline. Rollins saves Murphy but both men are knocked to the floor. The two then fly and take them both out on the floor. They bring Murphy into the ring and Ivar now tags in. Erik throws up Murphy and they hit the Viking Experience. Ivar covers but Murphy is able to kick. Ivar lands a big kick but Murphy comes back with an elbow strike. Murphy goes up top and Ivar meets him up there. He looks for a suplex but Murphy is able to fight off. Rollins helps out and tags in. Murphy lands a kick and then he and Rollins plant Ivar. Rollins covers but Ivar kicks out. Murphy tags in and he and Rollins look for a clothesline but Ivar runs through them and then hits them with double back elbows. Erik tags in and hits a powerbomb. Ivar looks to fly but Rollins sends him to the apron and then to the floor. Erik takes out Rollins but Murphy hits him with a knee. Rollins then hits Erik with a stomp. Murphy covers and gets the 1 2 3 to win the titles for he and Rollins!!!
*** After the match, the AOP meets them on the stage to celebrate.
Winners: Seth Rollins & Buddy Murphy: New Raw Tag Team Champions
My Opinion:
What a contest with these two teams. Rollins defintiley proved himself as an amazing partner tonight as he really helped out Murphy and put them in the best position to win. For Rollins, this helps validate all he has been saying. Murphy wasn’t winning much before this and now he is a tag team champion. I absolutely love that they won the titles. This now adds to Rollins group and everything they are trying to do. Plus, with the titles in the mix, it gives even more incentive for their rivalry with Joe and Owens. For the Viking Raiders, this is a chance to come back for revenge and start fresh as that title run was running stale at times.

Backstage Segment: Seth Rollins & Buddy Murphy & AOP
Rollins tells his team they did it. Sarah comes up and congratulates them and asks what this represents to them. Rollins says this cements everything they said. He tells how Murphy was fighting Aleister Black last week and now he is a champion. He then tells this Sunday they are going to cement their dominance when he wins the Royal Rumble for the second year in a row.

***We then see a new Monday After the Weekend Update with the Street Profits! This one was a must watch, it was very funny!

Match 6: Matt Hardy vs Erick Rowan
Hardy is able to build some early offense and fight off Rowan. Hardy looks for a DDT but Rowan comes back and plants Hardy. Hardy is then thrown to the apron but he hangs on. Rowan then hits him with a big boot and sends him to the floor. Rowan meets him out there and brings Hardy over to the cage. Hardy is able to escape away. Rowan reaches in and he is bit again. Rowan then takes the cage and bangs it on the steps. Hardy comes from behind and hammers on him. Rowan comes back and drops Hardy on the floor. In the ring, Rowan looks for the Iron Claw and connects. He covers and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Erick Rowan
My Opinion:
I’m glad Rowan had some competition this week but even for all the fight, Hardy gave to Rowan he still was unstoppable. We still sit and wonder what is in the cage but hopefully we are getting closer to figuring out exactly where this story is going to lead. It still sucks that Rowan was on such a role this summer and now he has been brought back down. Rowan has a lot to offer and again I hope this leads to something good for him and not just something that carries on to long and is a waste.

Backstage Segment: Samoa Joe & Kevin Owens
Sarah asks Joe and Owens what’s next for them now that Rollins and Murphy are tag team champions and that they are entering the Royal Rumble. Owens says they will deal with them winning the titles and even though he has nothing in common with those two he does have in common that is entering the Royal Rumble. Joe then says he is entering the Royal Rumble and tells Owens he will always stand by his side when it comes to Seth Rollins but if he stands in his way of winning the Royal Rumble he will go right through him.

Backstage Segment: Mojo Rawley
Charly asks Mojo what he meant about being a different 24/7 Champion. He says for too long this title has been defended by cowards. He is then cut off but the Singh Brothers. They try to catch him off guard and try to pin him for the title but Mojo doesn’t budge and lays them out.

In Ring Segment: Lana & Bobby Lashley
Lana starts by saying Rusev Day is canceled. She tells how she and Bobby are trying to share their love that is inspiring to the world and no one cares. She then calls the crowd low rent pathetic bottom feeders. She reiterates how everyone is jealous and envious of their love. She says they have accepted that they have to suffer through their ugliness and huddled disgraced. She tells that all they want is a simple thank you. She then asks for thank you Bobby and thank you Lana chants. She tells how Bobby is going to prove hi dominace again her stupid ex husband. She then talks about how she is going to finally get her hands on that self severing, coat tail riding, Liv Morgan.
Match 7: Rusev & Liv Morgan vs Bobby Lashley & Lana
Liv starts the match and tries to go after Lana but Lana drops to the outside. Liv chases her around the ring and Lana is able to get the advantage as they enter the ring. Liv comes back and takes it to Lana in the corner. Lana tries a cover after a suplex but Liv kicks out. Lana and Liv then end up hitting each other with a double clothesline. Rusev tags in and in comes Lashley. Rusev takes it to him and is able to knock him down. He takes it to him in the corner before hitting an overhead belly to belly suplex. Lashley runs at him and Rusev moves to stop Lashley in his tracks. Lana takes a cheap shot and Lashley now plants Rusev. He covers but Liv breaks it up. Liv now sends Lana to the outside. Liv now hits Lashley with an enziguri. Rusev connects with a kick and then fires up in the corner but Lana stops him. She lets him go and Lashley hits him with a spear. He covers and gets the 1 2 3.
Winners: Bobby Lashley & Lana
My Opinion:
This was a short match to end the night. I expected to be a little bit longer but I’m sure this isn’t the only time we will see this match. Liv and Rusev looked good together for a little bit of the match but ultimately Lana was able to create enough distraction and set Rusev up for Lashley to capitalize on. This story has been all about the give and take so while we were given a little tonight you can expect for much more going forward!

Final Thoughts:
This was a decent Raw tonight but since it was the go home show before the Royal Rumble I was hoping for the Royal Rumble to feel more importance but this year it seems more about rivalries instead of the big prize at the end. I thought the night got off to a hot start and I was very excited to see Rollins and Murphy win the tag titles later in the night. I loved the match between Orton and Mcintyre and even though it didn’t have a great ending it still was as hard hitting as can be and I’d love to see that one again. I loved the ladder match we got to witness tonight, those two left it all out there and delivered. It was great to Carrillo back and I hope he gets another shot at Andrade! I was hoping for more importance regarding the Women’s Royal Rumble tonight but it just wasn’t there and it’s unfortunate. I did however like the continued build with Asuka and Lynch. Those two seem ready to go and they should have an amazing match on Sunday. Finally, the main event wasn’t perfect and there was definitely a lot of better ways this show could have ended given its significance of the show. However, the main event was okay and I can imagine this will continue on and only build going forward. Ultimately I’m very excited for this Sunday and I can’t wait to see all that unfolds. There is going to be two big events this weekend and I can’t wait for them, there are a lot of great matches to look forward to and this will set us up on the Road to WrestleMania! I hope everyone enjoys Worlds Collide and the Royal Rumble!
Overall Rating: 6/10